Lee Clark will be able to accelerate his squad-building in earnest after Birmingham City had their debilitating transfer embargo lifted.
After 125 days, the Football League decided on Wednesday to allow Blues scope to bring new players in.
The measure was put in place in March after Blues and parent company Birmingham International Holdings Ltd (BIHL) failed to file their accounts for the year to June 2011.
BIHL still haven’t; but League chiefs felt satisfied that Blues plc figures, the future financial projections the club gave them and the cost-cutting measures that have been, and still are, in place – recent sales helped – were sufficient to take such a significant step.
New manager Clark had already been speaking to players and agents. But now he is able to start, without restriction, beefing up the numbers in the Blues squad, which is alarmingly thin of senior pros.
Clark will be active in the free transfer and loan market in the main. But at least his hands are no longer tied.
During the embargo, Blues could still sell players but needed League approval to register new signings.
Acting chairman Peter Pannu said: “We are pleased that the hard work of those at the club and the Football League has paid off.
“Despite the lifting of the embargo, we still need to ensure that this financial prudence remains in place going forward.”
